Portable paper-based probe for on-site ratiometric fluorescence determination of total flavonol glycosides in plant extract using smartphone imaging.

A smartphone-assisted, paper-based ratio fluorescence probe is presented for the rapid, low-cost and on-site quantification of total flavonol glycosides in Ginkgo biloba extracts (GBE). The Al3+/Eu-MOF/paper-based probe utilizes lanthanide metal-organic framework (Ln-MOF) nanoparticles immobilized on Whatman filter paper along with Al3+ for detecting flavonols, which are the hydrolyzed products of flavonol glycosides. The color change of the paper-based fluorescence image from red to orange depends on the concentration of the target analyte in the sample solution. The smartphone equipped with a red, green, blue (RGB) color detector measured the fluorescence signal intensity on the paper substrate after adding flavonol. The analytical variables affecting the performance of the probe, including the addition sequence of the aluminum nitrate solution, its concentration, that of the Ln-MOF solution, the drying time of the paper probe, the reaction time and the sensitivity parameters of the mobile phone camera (ISO), were optimized. Under optimal conditions, the Al3+/Eu-MOF/paper-based probe has good linear response in the concentration range 7 ~ 80 µg mL- 1 and a lower detection limit of 2.07 µg mL- 1. The results obtained with the paper-based ratio fluorescence probe and smartphone combination were validated by comparing them with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) measurements. This study provides a potential strategy for fabricating Al3+/Eu-MOF/paper-based probe used for total flavonol glycosides determination.

A digital image-based colorimetric method for measuring free acidity in edible vegetable oils.

The standard method used to quantify free acidity (FA) in vegetable oil is neutralization titration, which requires many toxic chemicals and depends on an analyst's experience in detecting endpoints. Here, a digital image colorimetry (DIC) method using a smartphone camera was developed to measure FA in vegetable oils. A cupric acetate solution was used to produce the colorimetric reaction. The coloured solutions were imaged, and R values (from the RGB colour system) were calibrated against the respective FAs in the standards. The FA values of the samples were determined by standard addition calibration. These results were compared to measurements of FA obtained by the standard titrimetric method. An excellent correlation was obtained, with an R2 of 0.98 and a mean absolute error of 0.06%. The chemicals needed for analysis were reduced by approximately 90%. Thus, DIC is a less subjective and more economical method for determining FA in vegetable oils.

Walking exercise through smartphone application plus branched-chain amino acid supplementation benefits skeletal muscle mass and strength in liver cirrhosis: A prospective control trial.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Whether a combination of exercise and branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation was more beneficial than those given alone in sarcopenia related to liver cirrhosis (LC) is unknown. Widely used smartphone applications provide continuous and easily expandable management of chronic liver disease (CLD). This study is to investigate the effects of unsupervised walking exercise using WeChat combined with BCAA supplementation on skeletal muscle mass and strength in LC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 127 LC patients of Child-Pugh A/B were assigned to group A (BCAA supplements, n=42), group B (walking exercise, n=43) and group C (walking exercise plus BCAA supplements, n=42). Laboratory data, average daily steps, serum BCAA, skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and grip strength were analyzed pre- and 3 months after interventions. RESULTS: Of the 124 patients who completed interventions, albumin and daily steps were significantly increased in all groups (p=0.0001). Post-intervention BCAA were significantly elevated in group A (A vs B, p=0.001) and C (C vs B, p=0.012;). While post-intervention daily steps in group B (B vs A, p=0.0001) and C (C vs A, p=0.0001) were higher. Grip strength (C vs A, p=0.020; C vs B, p=0.036) and SMI (C vs A, p=0.035; C vs B, p=0.012) were increased in group C. Prevalence of sarcopenia was significantly decreased in group C (p=0.015). CONCLUSIONS: A combination of unsupervised walking exercise using smartphone applications and BCAA supplementation might be an effective and safe treatment for cirrhosis patients with Child-Pugh A/B to improve skeletal muscle mass and strength or to prevent progress of sarcopenia.

Smartphone survey data reveal the timecourse of changes in mood outcomes following vitamin C or kiwifruit intervention in adults with low vitamin C.

Vitamin C-rich foods can improve mood; however, the timecourse of these benefits is unknown. This study utilised intensive longitudinal smartphone surveys from a three-armed placebo-controlled trial to determine mood-related changes following supplementation with vitamin C (250 mg tablet/d), kiwifruit (2 SunGold™ kiwifruit/d) or a placebo (1 tablet/d). Secondary data were analysed from the KiwiC for Vitality trial (Trial ID: ACTRN12617001031358). Adults (n 155, 63 % female, aged 18-35 years) with low plasma vitamin C (<40 µmol/l) completed a 14-d lead-in, 28-d intervention and 14-d washout. Participants self-reported vitality (SF-36), mood (POMS total mood disturbance), flourishing (flourishing scale), sleep quality, sleep quantity and physical activity every second day using smartphone surveys. Plasma vitamin C, measured fortnightly, reached saturation after 2 weeks of vitamin C or kiwifruit supplementation. Kiwifruit supplementation improved vitality and mood within 4 days, peaking around 14-16 days, and improved flourishing from day 14. Vitamin C marginally improved mood until day 12. Incremental AUC analyses revealed significant overall effects of kiwifruit consumption on vitality and mood compared with placebo, which were stronger than effects for vitamin C tablets, but attenuated when adjusting for covariates. Sensitivity analyses of participants with low baseline vitamin C status revealed improved mood (vitamin C and kiwifruit) and flourishing (kiwifruit only). This is the first study to use intensive smartphone surveys to model the day-to-day timecourse of mood-related states following vitamin C intervention and highlights the value of using smartphone surveys to reveal the temporal changes in mood-related outcomes following nutrient supplementation.

Electrophysiological effects of smartphone notifications on cognitive control following a brief mindfulness induction.

Smartphone use is nearly ubiquitous, with 93% of adults among economically developed countries, including the United States, Canada, Israel, and South Korea owning a smartphone (Taylor & Silver, 2019). Multiple studies have demonstrated the distracting effects of smartphone notifications on behavioral measures of cognition. Fewer studies have examined the effects of notifications on neural activity underlying higher-level cognitive processes or behavioral inductions to reduce smartphone-related distraction. Using EEG spectral frequency power densities, we assessed the effects of smartphone notifications (vs. control trials) on engagement of attentional shifting processes involved in cognitive control during a Navon Letter visual oddball task. Participants were randomly assigned to a brief mindfulness induction (N = 44) or a neutral narration control condition (N = 43). Overall, participants had lower theta-band power, but higher alpha- and beta-band power densities on target letter trials preceded by smartphone notifications. Additionally, participants in the mindfulness (vs. control) condition had a larger attention shifting oddball assessed via theta power density and theta/beta ratio (TBR) values-reflecting increased engagement of cognitive control-particularly on smartphone notification (vs. control) trials. Altogether, these results provide evidence supporting the idea that smartphone notifications can decrease activity of neural correlates of cognitive control, and offer the promise of a brief mindfulness induction to buffer against the effects of smartphone notifications on cognitive control. The findings indicate a need for further research on mindfulness inductiosn as a means to reduce potential distraction caused by smartphones.

Accessible and reliable neurometric testing in humans using a smartphone platform.

Tests of human brain circuit function typically require fixed equipment in lab environments. We have developed a smartphone-based platform for neurometric testing. This platform, which uses AI models like computer vision, is optimized for at-home use and produces reproducible, robust results on a battery of tests, including eyeblink conditioning, prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle response, and startle habituation. This approach provides a scalable, universal resource for quantitative assays of central nervous system function.

Smartphone-Based Electrochemical Biosensor for On-Site Nutritional Quality Assessment of Coffee Blends.

This work aimed to develop an easy-to-use smartphone-based electrochemical biosensor to quickly assess a coffee blend's total polyphenols (Phs) content at the industrial and individual levels. The device is based on a commercial carbon-based screen-printed electrode (SPE) modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and gold nanoparticles (GNPs). At the same time, the biological recognition element, Laccase from Trametes versicolor, TvLac, was immobilized on the sensor surface by using glutaraldehyde (GA) as a cross-linking agent. The platform was electrochemically characterized to ascertain the influence of the SPE surface modification on its performance. The working electrode (WE) surface morphology characterization was obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) imaging. All the measurements were carried out with a micro-potentiostat, the Sensit Smart by PalmSens, connected to a smartphone. The developed biosensor provided a sensitivity of 0.12 µA/µM, a linear response ranging from 5 to 70 µM, and a lower detection limit (LOD) of 2.99 µM. Afterward, the biosensor was tested for quantifying the total Phs content in coffee blends, evaluating the influence of both the variety and the roasting degree. The smartphone-based electrochemical biosensor's performance was validated through the Folin-Ciocâlteu standard method.

Efficacy of smartphone-based virtual reality relaxation in providing comfort to patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy in oncology outpatient setting in Indonesia: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy experience various physical and psychological problems and discomfort. Virtual reality (VR) can be used in technology-based non-pharmacological therapy that can serve as a potential distractor in the symptom management of patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy. We propose a smartphone-based virtual reality relaxation (S-VR) technique as a complementary modality to provide comfort to patients with cancer, and we will evaluate its effect on patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will recruit 80 patients from the One Day Chemotherapy 'Tulip' Center of Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This will be a two-arm parallel randomised controlled trial, with a 1:1 allocation and the primary outcome assessor blinded. This study will be divided into two groups: (1) an intervention group, with participants receiving 360° panoramic video content and music relaxation intervention through a VR device (head-mounted display) placed on their head during chemotherapy for ±10 min plus standard care and (2) a control group, with participants receiving guided imagery relaxation therapy in the form of a leaflet plus standard care. We will measure the outcomes after one chemotherapy cycle for each participant. The primary outcome is the effectiveness of the S-VR in improving the comfort of patients. The secondary outcome is the effect of the S-VR on the patients' symptom management self-efficacy, pain, anxiety, blood pressure (systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure) and pulse rate. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study was approved by the Medical and Health Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing of Universitas Gadjah Mada-Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, Yogyakarta, Institutional Review Board (approval number: KE/FK/0301/EC/2023). Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants who enrol in the study. Dissemination will be conducted through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05756465.

The impact of the Safe Delivery Application on knowledge and skills managing postpartum haemorrhage in a low resource setting: a cluster randomized controlled trial in West Wollega region, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum haemorrhage is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in low-income countries. Improving health workers' competencies in obstetric emergencies in low-income settings, has been recognized as an important factor in preventing maternal mortality and morbidity. mHealth interventions in maternal and newborn health care has shown the potential to improve health service delivery. Strong study designs such as randomized controlled trials are missing to estimate the effectiveness of the mHealth interventions. METHODS: Between August 2013 and August 2014, 70 health facilities in West Wollega Region, Ethiopia were included and randomized to intervention or control in a cluster randomized controlled trial. At intervention facilities birth attendants were provided with a smartphone with the SDA installed. Of 176 midwives and "health extension workers," 130 completed at 12 months follow-up. At baseline and after 6- and 12-months participants were assessed. Knowledge was tested by a Key Feature Questionnaire, skills by an Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills in a structured role-play scenario. RESULTS: Baseline skills scores were low and comparable with a median of 12/100 in the intervention and the control group. After 6 months skills had doubled in the intervention group (adjusted mean difference 29.6; 95% CI 24.2-35.1 compared to 1·8; 95% CI - 2.7 to 6.3 in the control group). At 12 months skills had further improved in the intervention group (adjusted mean difference 13.3; 95% CI 8.3-18.3 compared to 3.1; 95% CI - 1.0 to 7.3 in the control group). Knowledge scores also significantly improved in the intervention group compared to the control (adjusted mean difference after 12 months 8.5; 95% CI 2.0-15.0). CONCLUSION: The Safe Delivery App more than doubled clinical skills for managing postpartum haemorrhage among birth attendants making it an attractive tool to reduce maternal mortality. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrial.gov Identifier NCT01945931. September 5, 2013.

Maternal mortality caused by postpartum haemorrhage is a major public health concern in many low-income countries. Having access to skilled health care professionals during pregnancy and childbirth can prevent maternal deaths related to postpartum haemorrhage. mHealth interventions like the Safe Delivery App (SDA), a smartphone application, has shown the potential to improve the quality of care in emergency situations related to childbirth in low-income health system settings.This study examines the SDA as a training/education tool for improving health workers' competencies and performances in managing postpartum haemorrhage. The SDA contained animated instruction videos on how to prevent and treat postpartum haemorrhage and a list of essential drugs and basic equipment.In Ethiopia, 70 health facilities and 176 birth attendants were included in a randomized controlled trial. The intervention group received a smartphone with the SDA installed and half a day of introduction to the use of the app. Birth attendants' skills and knowledge in managing postpartum haemorrhage in the control and the intervention group were tested at baseline, 6 and 12 months after intervention.Our study found that the SDA is an effective tool to improve and sustain birth attendants' knowledge and skills in the management of postpartum haemorrhage in a rural, low-resource health system setting in Ethiopia, which confirms findings in other non-randomized studies examining the SDA on the management of postpartum haemorrhage.

Pain, smartphone overuse and stress in physiotherapy university students: An observational cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: There is a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and stress levels in university students in the health area. The current study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of pain in the cervical region, lumbar spine, and upper and lower limbs in university students in the final year of physiotherapy; and to determine the correlation between smartphone overuse, stress level, and musculoskeletal pain. METHODS: This is observational cross-sectional study. Students completed an online questionnaire containing sociodemographic information, the Neck Disability Index (NDI), Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), Smartphone Addiction Scale Short-version (SAS-SV), Job Stress Scale, and Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (ODI). The Biserial-point correlation test and Spearman correlationvtest was performed. RESULTS: In total, 42 university students participated in the study. The results indicate a high prevalence of students with cervical pain (83.3%), lumbar pain (76.2%), shoulder (57.1%) and wrist (52.4%). Correlations were found in the comparison of the SAS-SV versus NDI (p < 0.001, R = 0.517) and neck pain (p = 0.020, R = 0.378). The stress scale versus pain in the upper back (p = 0.008, R = 0.348), elbow (p = 0.047, R = 0.347), wrist (p = 0.021, R = 0.406), and knee (p = 0.028, R = 0.323), pain in the wrist versus high scores in the SAS-SV (p = 0.021, R = 0.367), and also hours spent using the smartphone versus pain in the hip (total time: p = 0.003, R = 446; work: p = 0.041, R = 0.345; recreation: p = 0.045, R = 0.308). CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of pain in the cervical and lumbar regions in university students in the final year of Physiotherapy. A correlation was found between neck disability, neck and upper back pain and overuse of the smartphone and stress.

Problematic use of the internet, smartphones, and social media among medical students and relationship with depression: An exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: Students in sub-Saharan African countries experienced online classes for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic. For some individuals, greater online engagement can lead to online dependency, which can be associated with depression. The present study explored the association between problematic use of the internet, social media, and smartphones with depression symptoms among Ugandan medical students. METHODS: A pilot study was conducted among 269 medical students at a Ugandan public university. Using a survey, data were collected regarding socio-demographic factors, lifestyle, online use behaviors, smartphone addiction, social media addiction, and internet addiction. Hierarchical linear regression models were performed to explore the associations of different forms of online addiction with depression symptom severity. RESULTS: The findings indicated that 16.73% of the medical students had moderate to severe depression symptoms. The prevalence of being at risk of (i) smartphone addiction was 45.72%, (ii) social media addiction was 74.34%, and (iii) internet addiction use was 8.55%. Online use behaviors (e.g., average hours spent online, types of social media platforms used, the purpose for internet use) and online-related addictions (to smartphones, social media, and the internet) predicted approximately 8% and 10% of the severity of depression symptoms, respectively. However, over the past two weeks, life stressors had the highest predictability for depression (35.9%). The final model predicted a total of 51.9% variance for depression symptoms. In the final model, romantic relationship problems (ß = 2.30, S.E = 0.58; p<0.01) and academic performance problems (ß = 1.76, S.E = 0.60; p<0.01) over the past two weeks; and increased internet addiction severity (ß = 0.05, S.E = 0.02; p<0.01) was associated with significantly increased depression symptom severity, whereas Twitter use was associated with reduced depression symptom severity (ß = 1.88, S.E = 0.57; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Despite life stressors being the largest predictor of depression symptom score severity, problematic online use also contributed significantly. Therefore, it is recommended that medical students' mental health care services consider digital wellbeing and its relationship with problematic online use as part of a more holistic depression prevention and resilience program.

Feasibility and Acceptability of a Mindfulness-Based Smartphone App among Pregnant Women with Obesity.

Maternal obesity is associated with an increased risk for prenatal depressive symptoms. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been shown to reduce the risk of prenatal depression. This pilot study assesses the feasibility and acceptability of a smartphone-based MBI among pregnant women with obesity, and its potential for improving maternal mental and behavioral health outcomes. Five second-trimester pregnant women with a prepregnancy body mass index > 30 kg/m2 participated in a 30-day audio-guided mindfulness practice using the Headspace app. All participants engaged in the pregnancy module, while three concurrently engaged in the mindful eating module. Daily engagement with the app was tracked and a post-trial survey assessed maternal acceptability. Validated pre- and post-trial questionnaires explored changes in perceived stress, anxiety, depression, and eating habits. All participants completed the study with varying levels of adherence to the prescribed daily practice; the average number of days of engagement was 23/30 (77%) for the pregnancy module and 20/30 (67%) for the mindful eating module. All subjects reported some degree of perceived benefit, and none reported negative experiences. Trends were observed for improvements in maternal mental wellbeing and eating behaviors. This pilot study shows that a smartphone-based MBI is feasible, acceptable, and perceived to provide benefit among pregnant women with obesity.

SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA detection using the novel CoVradar device associated with the CoVreader smartphone app.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for innovative approaches to its diagnosis. Here we present CoVradar, a novel and simple colorimetric method that combines nucleic acid analysis with dynamic chemical labeling (DCL) technology and the Spin-Tube device to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA in saliva samples. The assay includes a fragmentation step to increase the number of RNA templates for analysis, using abasic peptide nucleic acid probes (DGL probes) immobilized to nylon membranes in a specific dot pattern to capture RNA fragments. Duplexes are formed by labeling complementary RNA fragments with biotinylated SMART bases, which act as templates for DCL. Signals are generated by recognizing biotin with streptavidin alkaline phosphatase and incubating with a chromogenic substrate to produce a blue precipitate. CoVradar results are analysed by CoVreader, a smartphone-based image processing system that can display and interpret the blotch pattern. CoVradar and CoVreader provide a unique molecular assay capable of detecting SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA without the need for extraction, preamplification, or pre-labeling steps, offering advantages in terms of time (∼3 h/test), cost (∼€1/test manufacturing cost) and simplicity (does not require large equipment). This solution is also promising for developing assays for other infectious diseases.

Review of Headspace: Meditation and sleep.

Americans today report facing multiple stressors, including the COVID-19 pandemic (American Psychological Association, 2020), anxiety disorders (American Psychiatric Association, n.d.), chronic stress (Bergland, 2017), and more. As smartphones become increasingly ingrained in our society, many adults seek out self-directed stress management techniques facilitated via smartphone. A plethora of options are available, and mobile health applications have become increasingly popular in recent years (Lau et al., 2020). With over 70 million downloads across available platforms and users in over 190 countries (Headspace Inc., 2022), the mobile application Headspace may be one of the most well-known mobile health apps. As of May 2022; Headspace can be accessed via the mobile app or the product website (https://www .headspace.com/). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Red cabbage extract-mediated colorimetric sensor for swift, sensitive and economic detection of urease-positive bacteria by naked eye and Smartphone platform.

The bacterial pathogens have caused various serious infectious diseases in the human body, and even some threats to human life by leading to deaths. Enterobacteriaceae species especially urease positive ones, Proteus mirabilis (P. mirabilis) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), show resistance to antibiotics and cause respiratory and urinary tract infections. We have developed natural indicator-incorporated colorimetric urease tests with a naked eye and smartphone readout to rapidly, sensitively and economically detect P. mirabilis and K. pneumoniae. We utilized anthocyanin found as a predominant component in red cabbage (Brassica oleracea) extract as a natural pH indicator instead of toxic and synthetic indicators. As a mechanistic explanation for the detection of P. mirabilis and K. pneumoniae, urease enzymes secreted from the P. mirabilis and K. pneumoniae hydrolyze urea to produce ammonia (NH3), which increases the pH value of the reaction environment and leads to deprotonation from anthocyanins. The changes in the molecular structure and electronic structure of anthocyanins are responsible for revealing many different colors. We demonstrated how some reaction parameters including the concentration of the bacteria (colony-forming unit, CFU), the concentration of anthocyanin in the tests, initial color and pH values (pHs) of the tests influence their detection performance. We further developed a 3D-printed smartphone platform with smartphone based digital image processing software to improve the detection limit and shorten the detection time. We claim that natural indicator-incorporated rapid urease tests providing colorimetric readout evaluated by the human eye and smartphone imaging processing has great potential in practical use and they can be implemented in clinics.

Mental Health and Personality Characteristics of University Students at Risk of Smartphone Overdependence.

The purpose of this study was to verify the relationship between the risk of smartphone dependence, mental health, and personality traits in university students using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF), and to identify the MMPI-2-RF scales that can predict the risk of smartphone dependence. Of the 772 university students who participated in the study, 163 were in the smartphone overdependence group, accounting for 21.1% of the total survey respondents, which was one in five of those surveyed. High T-scores on the measure indicate greater psychopathology. The smartphone overdependence group had significantly higher T-scores than the general user group on all but three of the MMPI-2-RF scales, and the degree of smartphone overdependence was positively correlated with scores on these scales. There was no difference between the dependent and non-dependent groups on the interpersonal passivity, aesthetic-literary interest, and aggression scales, and scores on these three were not correlated with smartphone dependence. Among the MMPI-2-RF scales, those found to predict the risk of smartphone overdependence were the emotional/internalizing problems, behavioral/externalizing problems, antisocial behavior, cognitive complaints, helplessness/hopelessness, inefficacy, juvenile conduct problems, aggression, interpersonal problems, disconstraint, negative emotionality/neuroticism, and introversion/low positive introversion/low positive emotionality scales. Based on these findings, we propose that effective prevention and intervention for smartphone overdependence must be comprehensive and holistic rather than focusing on specific aspects of mental health or personality. The implications of the findings are discussed.

The Treatment Outcome of Smart Device-Based Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) is a standard treatment for tinnitus that consists of directive counseling and sound therapy. However, it is based on face-to-face education and a time-consuming protocol. Smart device-based TRT (smart-TRT) seems to have many advantages, but the efficacy of this new treatment has been questioned. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy between smart-TRT and conventional TRT (conv-TRT). METHODS: We recruited 84 patients with tinnitus. Results were compared between 42 patients who received smart-TRT and 42 control participants who received conv-TRT. An interactive smart pad application was used for directive counseling in the smart-TRT group. The smart pad application included detailed education on ear anatomy, the neurophysiological model of tinnitus, concept of habituation, and sound therapy. The smart-TRT was bidirectional: There were 17 multiple choice questions between each lesson as an interim check. The conv-TRT group underwent traditional person-to-person counseling. The primary outcome measure was the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), and the secondary outcome measure was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: Both treatments had a significant treatment effect, which comparably improved during the first 2 months. The best improvements in THI were -23.3 (95% CI -33.1 to -13.4) points at 3 months and -16.8 (95% CI -30.8 to -2.8) points at 2 months in the smart-TRT group and conv-TRT group, respectively. The improvements on the VAS were also comparable: smart-TRT group: -1.2 to -3.3; conv-TRT: -0.7 to -1.7. CONCLUSIONS: TRT based on smart devices can be an effective alternative for tinnitus patients. Considering the amount of time needed for person-to-person counseling, smart-TRT can be a cost-effective solution with similar treatment outcomes as conv-TRT.

Validation of a smartphone-based screening tool (Biliscan) for neonatal jaundice in a multi-ethnic neonatal population.

AIM: Neonatal jaundice is an important and prevalent condition that can cause kernicterus and mortality. This study validated a smartphone-based screening application (Biliscan) in detecting neonatal jaundice. METHODS: A cross-sectional prospective study was conducted at the neonatal unit in a tertiary teaching hospital between August 2020 and October 2021. All babies born at the gestation of 35 weeks and above with clinical jaundice or are recommended for screening of jaundice within 21 days of post-natal age were recruited. Using Biliscan, images of the babies' skin over the sternum were taken against a standard colour card. The application uses feature extraction and machine learning regression to estimate the bilirubin level. Independent Biliscan bilirubin estimates (BsB) were made and compared with total serum bilirubin (TSB) and transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) levels. Bland Altman plots were used to establish the agreement between BsB and TSB, as well as TcB, using the clinically acceptable limits of agreement of ±35 µmol/L, which were defined a priori. Pearson correlation coefficient was assessed to establish the strength of the relationship between BsB versus TSB and TcB. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed through receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: Sixty-one paired TSB-BsB and 85 paired TcB-BsB measurements were obtained. Bland Altman plot for the entire group showed that 54% (33/61) of the pairs of TSB and BsB readings and 66% (56/85) of the pairs of TcB and BsB readings were within the maximum clinically acceptable difference of 35 µmol/L. Pearson r for BsB versus TSB and TcB was 0.54 (P < 0.001) and 0.66 (P < 0.001) respectively. Compared with TSB, the recommended gold standard measure for jaundice, Biliscan has a sensitivity of 76.92% and specificity of 70.83% for jaundice requiring phototherapy. The positive and negative predictive values in term infants were 93.3% and 36.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that there is moderate correlation and mediocre agreement between BsB and TSB, as well as TcB. Improvement to the application algorithm and further studies that include a larger population, and a wider range of bilirubin values are necessary before the tool may be considered for use in screening of jaundice in newborns.

Bilirubin Measurement Through a Smartphone Application in Preterm Infants.

BACKROUND: Aim of the present study is to evaluate the feasibility and reliability of an smartphone application for monitore of bilirubin levels in preterm infants. METHODS: Preterm infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit with gestational age of<35 weeks were included. Exclusion criteria were parental reluctance and requirement of phototherapy in the last 12 hours. Measurements were obtained through a smartphone application (BiliScan) along with simultaneous transcutaneous device (Dräger JM 105) and venous blood biochemistry. RESULTS: Mean gestational age was 30.8±2.4 weeks and birth weight was 1622±566 g. Measurements were obtained at a median of 4 (1-21) days of life. Twenty-five infants (19.4%) had ABO and/or Rh incompatibility and 39 infants (30.2%) required phototherapy. None of the cases required exchange transfusion. Mean total serum bilirubin (TSB) level was 8.16±2.60 mg/dL, mean transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) level was 8.60±2.70 mg/dL, and the mean bilirubin level measured by BiliScan was 7.26±2.68 mg/dL. For TSB and TcB measurements, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was found to be 0.915 (95% confidence interval 0.835-0.951; p<0.001) and a strong positive correlation was found between these two measurements. When TSB and BiliScan measurements were compared, ICC was found to be significant as 0.512 (95% confidence interval 0.353-0.638; p<0.001), with a moderate correlation. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we evaluated the feasibility and reliability of a smartphone application for monitoring bilirubin levels in preterm infants. Although BiliScan measurements reported to display high correlation in term infants, a moderate correlation was found in the preterm infants. It is an emerging low-cost, non-invasive alternative for neonatal jaundice monitoring, however, results should be interpreted with caution in preterm infants.

A new Fe3+-selective, sensitive, and dual-channel turn-on probe based on rhodamine carrying thiophenecarboxaldehyde: Smartphone application and imaging in living cells.

A new dual-channel probe based on rhodamine B derivative (MSB) was successfully designed, synthesized, characterized by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FTIR), Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and Single Crystal X-rayDiffraction, and the sensing abilities toward Fe3+ cation have been demonstrated and the probe was successfully utilized for fluorescence imaging of Fe3+ in living cells. The probe demonstrated quite fast, sensitive, and selective response to Fe3+ by causing an extreme enhancement in UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy techniques in the buffered aqueous media which makes MSB a dual-channel probe. While the color of MSB solution was initially light yellow, it turned pink in the presence of Fe3+, which provided highly selective naked-eye determination among several ions as alkaline, alkaline-earth, and transition metal ions. After that, the probe was easily applied to paper strips and real samples such as drinking waters and supplementary iron tablets for sensing Fe3+ in an aqueous solution. The detection limit (LOD) and the response time of the probe were determined as 4.85x10-9 M and 4 min, respectively, which are quite lower compared with other rhodamine based Fe3+ sensors in the literature. According to Job's plot, 1H NMR titration, MALDI-TOF MS, XPS, and DFT study techniques, the complexation ratio between MSB and Fe3+ was found as 1:1. Moreover, the spectral response was reversible with alternately addition of Fe3+ or Na2EDTA to the MSB solution. In addition, fluorescence imaging in NIH/3T3 mouse fibroblast cells and studies in real samples with a quite high recovery rate exhibited that the probe is qualified for detection of Fe3+ ion with multiple practical usages.